CHARLOTTE, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Two lieutenant governors, the head of the USO and the wife of a military
hero will serve as race officials for the 2015 Coca-Cola 600, the
nation’s largest Memorial Day Celebration. Mrs. Dawn Seif will be Grand
Marshal; USO CEO & President J.D. Crouch II will be Co-Grand Marshal;
West Virginia Senate President-Lt. Gov. Bill Cole will serve as Honorary
Starter; and North Carolina’s Lt. Gov. Dan Forest will serve as Honorary
Race Director for the 56th running of NASCAR’s only 600-mile
race at the famed Charlotte Motor Speedway on Sunday, May 24.

“It is our pleasure to welcome these distinguished leaders, as well as
honor an American hero, SSgt. Andrew Seif, by naming his wife, Dawn,
Grand Marshal of the 2015 Coca-Cola 600,” said Lauren C. Steele, senior
vice president, corporate affairs, Coca-Cola Consolidated. “It also is
exciting to have state leaders recognize America’s servicemen and women
at the largest Memorial Day celebration in the country. We are honored
to recognize a true American hero as Mrs. Seif says those famous words:
‘Drivers', Start Your Engines!’”

As race officials, Senator Cole and Lt. Governor Forest will be honored
at a pre-race event, attend the official drivers meeting, address the
crowd of nearly 100,000 fans, participate in the pre-race spectacular
and present the trophy to the winning driver in Victory Lane. As
Co-Grand Marshal, Crouch will introduce Seif as the Grand Marshal. Seif
will give the race command, while Senator Cole will wave the green flag
over the 43-car field to start NASCAR’s most challenging race. As
Honorary Race Director, Lt. Gov. Forest will ride in an official pace
car.

Dawn Bredeweg and SSgt. Andrew C. Seif of Holland, Michigan were married
on September 18, 2010. Tragically, SSgt. Seif was one of 11 service
members killed in March of this year when their helicopter crashed
during a training mission near Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.

He was a Combat Engineer based out of Camp Pendleton and Twentynine
Palms, CA from 2006 until 2009. He then joined Marine Special Operations
Command (MARSOC) based out of Camp Lejeune. During his career, he served
one tour of duty in Iraq and two in Afghanistan.

SSgt. Seif was a decorated Marine. In July 2012, he faced enemy fire to
save a mortally wounded friend in Afghanistan. For his heroism, SSgt.
Seif was a recipient of the USO’s 2013 Marine of the Year Award and
earned the Silver Star.

J.D. Crouch II was elected by the USO Board of Governors to become the
23rd President and Chief Executive Officer of the United Service
Organizations (USO) in 2014. Crouch has a long history of public
service, including numerous military honors and a service as U.S.
Ambassador to Romania.

W. Va. Senate President-Lt. Governor Bill Cole is a fifth generation
West Virginia businessman. In January 2015, he became the first
Republican to lead the W. Va. Senate in more than 80 years. He and his
wife, Brownie, live in Bluefield, W. Va. and have four children.

Dan Forest is the first Republican Lieutenant Governor to be elected in
North Carolina in more than 20 years, and only the second since 1897.
Dan is an architect. He and his wife, Alice, reside in Raleigh with
their four children, ages 8 to 20.

Continuing its tradition as the biggest Memorial Day Weekend celebration
in America, the Coca-Cola 600 pre-race show will pay tribute to veterans
and active duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces. The captivating
performance will showcase ground exercises with troops from Fort Bragg,
featuring Humvees, Howitzers, a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System
and more. Rope teams from Fort Campbell will descend from Black Hawk
helicopters. The high-powered pre-race show will also include a 21-gun
salute from the Fort Bragg firing squad and vintage war bird air parade
and sky-diving members of Team Fastrax descending into the infield.
There will also be a musical element to the pre-race show with
performances including Rock and Roll Hall of Famers ZZ Top and Lee
Greenwood.

Coca-Cola has been involved with stock car racing for more than 50 years
and has been the official sparkling beverage of NASCAR since 1998.
Through its partnerships with International Speedway Corporation,
Speedway Motorsports, Inc. and Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Coca-Cola
refreshes racing fans at the majority of NASCAR-sanctioned tracks. A
signature part of the brand’s NASCAR association is the Coca-Cola Racing
Family – a group of top drivers that include Greg Biffle, Austin Dillon,
Denny Hamlin, Joey Logano, Ryan Newman, Danica Patrick and Tony Stewart.
Coca-Cola Racing Family members make appearances and are featured in
advertising, promotions and on packaging.

Great seats are still available for the Coca-Cola 600 and all rest of
the 10 Days of NASCAR Thunder, with weekend passes starting at just $99.
To purchase tickets and camping day upgrades, fans should call the
speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS (3267) or shop online at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com.

Charlotte-based Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated is the nation’s
largest independent Coca-Cola bottler, selling a broad portfolio of
beverages that fit every activity and lifestyle.